Latest news with #NASA-approved
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
3 best air purifying flowers to help clean indoor air — and they're NASA-approved
Be it seasonal allergies, dust, bacteria or even mold issues, there are a number of things that can affect the overall quality of indoor air. And if you haven't yet invested in one of the best air purifiers to filter and clean your air, you might want to consider a more natural (and cheaper) alternative. While we often assume fresh blooms are the culprits to our sniffles or sneezing fits during summer, you'll be surprised to learn that there are certain flowers that are known to improve air quality in your home without a purifier. In fact, a 1989 NASA study found that certain flowers and plants can absorb toxins and pollutants such as formaldehyde and ammonia — commonly found in household products and cleaners. Similar to houseplants that reduce indoor air pollution, varieties can also help to release oxygen and increase humidity levels, since flowers release moisture into the air. What's more, you'll always have a fresh-smelling home, without spraying strong, artificial fragrances (and further pollute the air). So before you head out to your nearest florist, find out which popular flowers are known to improve the air. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Plus, these are the 7 indoor plants to avoid if you have allergies. One popular and well-known NASA-approved flower is the pretty peace lily. Peace lilies can either fall into the category of both plant or flower, and with its large white flowers and lush foliage, makes a beautiful addition to any space. 'The elegant peace lily is a natural air purifier, capable of removing a wide range of airborne pollutants, including benzene and trichloroethylene,' says Daniel Ufland, co-founder of interior design platform Flitch. 'Its stunning white blooms not only add a touch of elegance to any room but also help to improve indoor air quality. By incorporating a peace lily into your living space, you can enjoy a more serene and rejuvenating atmosphere.' In addition, peace lilies are pretty low maintenance plants, and can cope well in different light exposures – including very little light. All they'll really need is adequate indirect daylight, and watering every few days. If you really want to make the most of your beautiful flower, you could place a few around the home, such as a bedroom or home office. "One flower won't do it for purifying the air in your home,' adds Chastain. 'This is one situation where more is better. Just make sure to provide the lighting and care each flower needs and keep them dust free so they can do their jobs.' If you want to know more about the benefits of peace lilies, check out these 9 reasons why every home needs a peace lily. Chrysanthemums are known for their bold and colorful blooms. But these florals can do so much more than add a touch of vibrant color to any room. In fact, these are one of the best air-purifying flowers, particularly for removing benzenes and ammonia — both of which are extremely harmful chemicals. These chemicals are usually found in glue, plastics, and detergents. 'Chrysanthemums are also a great choice with lots of color options,' adds Lindsey Chastain, founder and CEO of The Waddle and Cluck. 'They remove ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde. They are a little more challenging to get them to rebloom so they may need to be replaced each season.' Generally, chrysanthemums need to be planted in well-drained soil, and watered once a week for impressive blooms. Bear in mind they require at least six to eight hours of full sunlight a day, so best placed on or near a sunny windowsill. Orchids are a popular indoor flower that comes in different species and vibrant colors. And while these make a beautiful feature to our home décor, they can also do a good job removing certain air pollutants. 'Orchids are another great choice, but do require more advanced care,' adds Chastain. 'They aren't as potent as the other two, but can thrive indoors. They can remove xylene and toluene (chemicals). ' Luckily, with the proper care and attention, learning how to care for an orchid is not as tricky as it seems. Generally, orchids love bright, but indirect light, so place them near a south- or east-facing window to ensure they get at least six hours of indirect sunlight. In addition, orchids don't need a lot of water so avoid overwatering, as this will lead to root rot. A top tip is to spray an orchid regularly with a fine mist spray bottle up to two times a day. Check out these 5 top tips for growing orchids from expert florists, as long as you avoid these mistakes when growing orchids.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Shop Solar Eclipse Glasses For The Upcoming Partial Solar Eclipse
Atmosphere by The Weather Channel curates products and services for all seasons. If you buy something from one of our links, we may earn a commission. There's a rare sunrise solar eclipse coming Saturday, March 29, as a partial solar eclipse will be visible from eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. Be sure to set your alarms on Saturday morning between 4:50 a.m. and 8:43 a.m. ET to witness the partial solar eclipse if you're one of the 800 million people in the eclipse viewing area. To be able to watch this sunrise in the shape of a Cheshire Cat grin, though, you'll need the proper eyewear. We outline some tips to keep in mind when buying your solar eclipse glasses, as well as a few top picks that could still make it on time for our eclipse watchers. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR), and looking at the sun wearing anything that isn't specially designed to deal with both the visible light and invisible radiation could cause major injury, including blindness. The only safe way to view a full or partially-eclipsed sun is through solar filters (also known as eclipse glasses) or handheld solar viewers, and it's critical that these filters must meet the safety requirements of ISO 12312-2. Solar eclipse glasses are made of black polymer, a flexible resin infused with carbon particles that are about 100,000 times darker than ordinary sunglasses and block nearly all visible light (as well as UV and IR). You cannot use regular glasses or a smartphone to see the solar eclipse - you must get glasses that are specially designed to block out the sun's rays. Viewing any part of the sun through a camera, binoculars or a telescope without a special solar filter can cause an immediate severe eye injury. There are smartphone lens filters, however, that will allow you to view the eclipse through your phone lens without it potentially damaging your lenses. American Paper Optics is the premier brand when it comes to solar eclipse glasses. When buying, make sure there is proper labeling on the inside of each pair of glasses, including wearing instructions and ISO certification. When we last spoke with The Weather Channel's on-camera meteorologist, Danielle Banks, she said, 'Be really careful when buying from any third-party sellers. Make sure the glasses meet the proper safety standards so you don't hurt your eyes.' You can certainly shop through Amazon, just make sure the glasses have a proper ISO certification listed on the glasses and the shopping page. Another good resource is B&H Photo, which offers a selection starting at a single pair of solar eclipse glasses, up to hundreds in a bundle. Shop It: Amazon Price: $6.99 at Amazon Shop It: $6.99 at Amazon Features: Made by NASA-approved manufacturer American Paper Optics CE and ISO certified for direct sun viewing, according to company Scratch-resistant silver polymer lense material Shop It: Amazon Price: $9.99 at Amazon Shop It: $9.99 at Amazon Features: 10-pack of non-polarized solar eclipse glasses Bonsu smartphone photo filter CE and ISO certified according to company Shop It: B&H Photo Price: $18.95 at Shop It: $18.95 at Features: ISO 12312-2 certified for solar viewing, according to company Blocks 100% of harmful UV & IR light Blocks 99.999% of intense visible light Shop It: Amazon Price: starting at $2.71 at Amazon Shop It: starting at $2.71 at Amazon Features: Designed to capture images of the sun and protect your phone or camera lens Hold filter in front of smartphone lens with correct side facing the sun Not designed for direct sun viewing MORE ON This Month Hosts A Rare Sunrise Eclipse Look Up: The Top Celestial Events Of 2025 Here's What To Know About Solar Eclipse Glasses Price accurate and items in stock at time of publish.
